SAN DIEGO — Treated to a lively discussion at San Diego Comic-Con, the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, addressed recent controversies surrounding their long-running animated series. The pair participated in a panel focused on adult animation programming, where they were joined by other notable creators such as Mike Judge, known for Beavis and Butt-Head, and Andy Samberg, co-creator of Digman!.

During the event, moderator Josh Horowitz prompted Parker and Stone to respond to the public’s heated reactions to the premiere of South Park‘s 27th season, which aired just a day earlier and featured a scathing portrayal of former President Donald Trump. Parker, maintaining a humorous demeanor, offered a terse apology, saying, “We’re terribly sorry,” before his comments led to a deeper discussion of the week’s episode.

Stone recounted how he and Parker first crossed paths over a shared love for Monty Python. His remarks echoed recent concerns about federal funding cuts to public broadcasting, which resonated with the audience and prompted enthusiastic cheers. Parker reflected on the ongoing exhilaration of creating South Park, revealing that the team was still brainstorming ideas for future episodes just hours before the panel.

Elaborating on the creative process, Parker admitted to doubts about the preceding episode’s reception, recalling that the writing team was unsure if audiences would embrace its content. They often drew inspiration from current news stories, a tactic they used for this week’s premiere as well.

The discussion turned toward network feedback regarding the season’s debut, particularly a bold scene that showcased Trump’s anatomy. Parker relayed that network executives suggested blurring the image, to which the creators firmly objected. Stone humorously added that they instead decided to give the character eyes, turning it into a quirky element of the show.

The panel also explored the beginnings of Judge’s Beavis and Butt-Head, stemming from a classroom impersonation that unexpectedly grew into a cultural phenomenon. Samberg discussed his early days with Saturday Night Live and the surge of viral content driven by platforms like YouTube, which changed how audiences experienced television sketches.

As the conversation progressed, the creators touched on their public recognition. Stone quipped about the nature of his fanbase, humorously noting that many of his fans were men, and reflecting on how that recognition can be a double-edged sword.

In recent developments, Parker and Stone had been engaged in a contentious negotiation with Paramount regarding the streaming rights for South Park. However, a new deal was announced, reportedly valued at $1.5 billion, which will allow South Park to appear on Paramount+ for the first time, producing ten new episodes annually.

Earlier negotiations suggested a more extensive 10-year agreement that fell through due to uncertainties in the streaming market, prompting the creators to retain legal counsel to navigate the partnership crisis.

The season 27 premiere, after a prolonged two-year hiatus, included pointed satire regarding Trump, with scenes depicting him in bed with Satan, who jabbed at Trump’s connections to the Epstein controversy. The episode also made allusions to the recent cancellation of CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which has raised eyebrows regarding possible political motivations amid corporate mergers.

Reacting to the premiere, White House Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers called the show "irrelevant" and criticized its attempts to draw attention in a statement issued shortly after the episode aired. Meanwhile, federal actions have cleared the way for the impending $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global by Skydance, positioning the company to take control of vital media properties including Comedy Central and CBS.

As the landscape of television continues to evolve, the creators of South Park show no signs of slowing down, embracing controversy with their signature humor and willingness to tackle relevant social issues head-on.